Machine for manufacturing scrap bunches



Oct. 13, 1942. s, U N 2,298,279

MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING SCRAP BUNCHES Filed Nov. 12, 1938 4Sheets-Sheet 1 J39 CH 157 INVENTOR B Y SIGURD CLAUSEN ATTORNEY INVE NTOR4 Sheets-Sheet 2 S. CLAUSEN MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING SCRAP BUNCHESFiled Nov. 12, 1938 FIG. 2

BY SIGURD ZLZSEN ORNEY Oct. 13, 1942.

"Ybwmm Oct. 13, 1942.

=GLAUSEN MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING SCRAP BUNCHES 4 Sheets-Shet 3 FiledNov. 12, 1938 103 gzazw 125 I 105127 140 FIG.

10 105 I INVENTOR SIGURD CLAUSEN Oct. 13, 1942. s. CLAUSEN v I MACHINEFOR MANUFACTURING SCRAP BUNCHES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 12, 1938INVENTOR SIGURD CLAUSEN A TORNEY m. MEL

place the bunches in molds for a period of Patented Oct. 13., 1942MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING SCRAP BUNCHES Sigurd Clausen, Brooklyn, N. Y.,assignor to International poration of New Jersey Application November12, 1938, Serial No. 240,087

1'? Claims. (Cl. 131-32) This invention relates to cigar machines andmore particularly to improvements in mechanism for making scrap or shortfiller cigar bunches.

Usually in making short filler cigar bunches,

it is customary at one stage of the process to time during which eachbunch is shaped and molded to its ultimate desired size ready forwrapping. According to my invention,

therefore, I have provided mechanism which will form satisfactorybunches without any prolonged molding and shaping operation, and one inwhich short filler bunches are rolled, transferred from the rollingapron into a suitable crimping and trimming device where the ends arerapidly crimped, shaped and cut to size, all in one cycle of the machineoperation. The shaped bunch is then transferred directly to the rollingstation for application of the wrapper.

It is also an object of this invention to make short filler cigarsbyemploying principles heretofore only thought capable of use in forminglong filler cigars. For inated from the machine of my invention, thelocating and bunch softening mechanisms generally employed in theproduction of long filler cigars. This is due to the fact that in themanufacture of soft flowing quality of short filler tobacco, locatorscontacting the ends of bunches might have the tendency to form softshoulders adjacent the bunch ends which would be carried over into afinished cigar and cause it to be rejected. Also if a short filler bunchwere to be placed in a softening device and rolled back and forth for agiven period of time, the tobacco therein would flow out of the ends andthe cigar thus formed could not pass inspection.

The invention also consists in the provision of novel conveyor mechanismfor transporting newly rolled bunches from the bunch rolling apron tobunch crimping and trimming devices, and further includes, means foraxially shifting a bunch being transferred in order to position itproperly in the crimping and trimming means. It is in this manner thatsuccessive bunches are uniformly positioned in the crimping and trimmingjaws and are reduced to the predetermined desired size and shape duringeach cycle of the machine, and hence very satisfactory uniformity inbunches can be obtained without the necessity of using elaborate shapingturrets or molding units formerly however, it is an object to dispensewith this molding operation and,

this purpose, I have elimfiller cigar bunches because of the utilized inthe manufacture of 55 filler cigars.

Cigar Machinery Company, a. corsoft filler cigars. Hence, it is afurther object of my invention to provide simplified means for crimpingand trimming short filler cigars, and. mechanism which is lesscomplicated in construction and much less expensive to make and maintainin repair.

Another object of the invention is to form I binders on a binder cuttingdie, transfer these binders to a bunch rolling device, and conveybunches from the rolling device to the crimping and trimming mechanismwhere each bunch is acted upon to reduce it to proper shape and size.The provision of improved bunch transferring mechanism simplifies theproblem of locating punches to be transferred to the crimping jaws andtrimmers, and also makes it possible for an operator to devotepractically all of her time to laying binder leaves on the cuttingdie,since according to my invention it is unnecessary for her to liftbunches from the rolling device and manually insert them in the molds ofa turret or like molding unit. It also makes it possible to saveconsiderable binder material by a more economical use thereof, in thatbinder leaves can be accurately served and more time is available forefficiently patching binders.

It is an added object of the invention to provide improved mechanism forfeeding short filler tobacco which includes a vibratory hopper forfeeding this type of tobacco to a charge forming and bunch rollingdevice, and for associating therewith improved means for forming shortfiller cigar bunches. Although a vibrating hopper may be employedsatisfactorily for feeding practically all types of commonly used shortfiller tobacco, I have found that it can be used with great success inadvancing in a uniform stream to a charge measuring device, larger shortfiller tobacco than has heretofore been possible. I have found that theuse of this type of feeding device makes it possible to utilize cigarforming mechanism which formerly was considered to be capable of usingonly long filler tobacco and not able to handle and produce satisfactoryshort The successful handling and conof short filler tobacco intobunches, with the elimination of the usual molding operation for aprolonged period of time is also .due in part to the mechanism whichcooperates with the improved feed in distributing the particles oftobacco with substantially all of their lengths extending in one generaldirection. Under these conditions the several pieces of large shortfiller required for a bunch are easily handled in my improved bunchforming and cigar wrapping version mechanism, the filler assumes cigarform with less manipulation than in the case of small short filler, andhence contributes much to the successful operation of the machine.

It is also an object of the invention to provide mechanism forrealigning tapered bunches rolled to an angle with respect to the axisof the machine after their discharge from the bunch rolling device, andcorrectly locate them for further bunch manipulation without any contactbetween the locating means and the bunch.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide mechanism forlocating bunches after their transfer from a bunch rolling mechanism andprior to their positioning in bunch crimping jaws without engaging thebunch itself during the locating operations. 7 p 7 It is an added objectto provide means for lo eating bunches to be rerolled in the bunchtransfer in order that these bunches may be properly positioned in themachine for rerolling.

With these and other objects not specifically mentioned in view, theinvention consists in certain combinations and constructions which willbe hereinafter fully described, and then specifically set forth in theclaims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification,and in which like characters of referenc indicate the same or likeparts:

Fig.1 is a schematic plan view of my improved short filler cigarmachine;

Fig. 2 is a partial side elevation of the bunch making machine with itsfeeding mechanism and its driving members;

Fig. 3 is a plan View with parts omitted of an improved transfer unit;

Figure 3a is a plan view of my mechanism used for locating bunches to berewrapped;

, Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the same with'parts omitted;

Fig. 5 is a detail view illustrating a bunch lodged in the transferunit, adjacent the rolling table;

Fig. 6 is a partial side transfer with jaws open;

Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the structure shown in Figure 6; and

Fig. 8 is a partial side elevation of the transfer of Figure 6 inposition to deliver a bunch into the crimping jaws.

Referring to the drawings, which show an pproved embodiment of myinvention, Fig. 1 discloses in plan the general organization of myimproved short filler cigar making machine, and indicated thereon at Ais a short filler feeding and bunch making device having associatedtherewith a binder cutting die and transfer means for forwarding cutbinders to the bunch rolling apron, as will be described more fullyhereinafter. The bunch making mechanism A may be of the same generaltype disclosed in pending application, Serial No. 193,244, filed byJames P. Durning, March 1, 1938, for Feed for cigar bunch machines. Thebunch making mechanism is arranged for cooperation with a wrapperapplying unit designated B of a construction well-known in the art. Themachine shown in Fig. 1 is characterized by the elimination of thelocator and softener unit formerly used in conjunction with wrapperapplying units of this type, and by the substitution of short fillerbunch forming mechanism for the filler feeding elevation of the crimperand measuring parts formerly used in conjunction with the unit -B formaking long filler cigars.

was;

According to my invention, a number of driving parts of the short fillerbunch forming mechanism are liminated and the drive of the wrapperapplying unit is utilized for all driving purposes.

The short filler bunch forming mechanism of my machine consists of abase It supported at its ends by a pair of brackets II and I2 (Fig. 2),the former being secured to a tie frame I3 of the side frames I4 and I5of the machine, while brackets I2 are attached to a bed plate I5suitably supported by the frames I5 and I5. A lower tie frame I!provides means for supporting a bracket I8 to which is secured a motorI3. Motor shaft 20 carries a pulley 2i driving a belt 22 imparti'ngmotion to a pulley 23 mounted on a shaft 24 protruding from a housing25. A variable speed drive of any suitable conventional design (notshown) enclosed in housing 25, imparts oscillating motion to the rakes26 and 27, confined within the side walls of the hopper 28, in a mannersimilar to that disclosed in the above mentioned patent application.

The motor shaft 20, through a conventional clutch indicated generally atD (Figure 2) drives conventional reduction gears supported and enclosedin a housing 29 (Figs. 1 and 2) attached to side frame I5. The drivingmeans, enclosed in housing 29, imparts motion to a shaft 30 (Fig. 1)mounted at right angles to motor 25, supported in a housing 3I equippedwith suitable gearing of a type similar to that shown in the abovementioned Durning application which drives the cam shaft 32 (Figs. 1 and2).

The short filler tobacco is deposited in the hopper 28 which, whenevertobacco is to be fed, is vibrated by means of a magnet I55 and armatureunit I56 (Figure 2) of a type similar to that described in theaforementioned Durning application, wherein the vibratory hopper ismounted upon wherein the vibratory hopper is mounted upon springs I50secured to a vibrator base I5I, which base also carries lugs I52supporting studs I53 mounting a magnet supporting bracket I54, uponwhich the magnet I55 is positioned to cooperate with armature I56supported by the bottom of the hopper 28 as shown in Figure 2. Thebottom web of hopper 2B is provided with a step 33 which in conjunctionwith oscillating rakes 26 and 27 divide it into a storage chamber 34 forthe tobacco, the hopper side walls converging and forming a narrowchannel or feed trough 35 which feeds a thin uniform layer or stream oftobacco to the scale pan 35. The thin layer of tobacco forwarded by thevibrating feed trough of the hopper continues to pour into the scale pan36 until the desired weight of tobacco accumulated therein trips it anddischarges the tobacco therefrom. The tripping of scale pan 36 causes aswitch I 58 fixed to scale shaft I51 which is part of an electriccircuit to the vibrator magnet, to break the magnet circuit, stop thevibration of hopper 28, and consequently the flow of tobacco to thescale pan. A tobacco flow control plate 31 swings downwardly and closesthe mouth of feed trough 35 when the vibration of hopper 28 ceases, andthereby prevents an excess of tobacco from entering the scale pan. Sincethe plate 37 is operated in the same manner as described in theaforementioned application, a more detailed showing or description ofthe same is deemed unnecessary.

With the scale pan tripped, the measured quan tity of tobacco is readyto be distributed into a magazine 38 by means of vertically mountedstationary side guide plates 39, "a movable magazine gate 40, and anoscillating end guide plate 4I mounted on the hopper mechanism, whichmove in synchronism. The gate 46 when in its down or closed positionserves as a cover for the magazine 38 and, when the magazine is ready toreceive a charge the gate is swung upward to its up or open position asshown in Fig. 2. In approaching this position, the upper end of the gateengages a clip 42I fixed on scale pan 36, and swings the same from itsstationary back wall 43, thereby permitting the tobacco to slide fromthe scale into the funnel formed by members 39, 46 and M which directsthe charge into magazine 38. A reciprocating plunger 42 subsequentlypresses the charge into a waiting charge transfer (not shown) which maybe of the type shown in Fig. 8 of the heretofore mentioned application.

The plunger 42 is equipped with a rod 43 connected to a lever 44actuated by a cam 45, on shaft 32, which imparts to and fro motion tothe plunger. The lower end of lever 44 terminates in an arm 46 providingmeans for carrying studs 41 and 48 which pivotally support links 49 and50 respectively. Link 49 connects to the upper end of an arm fast on astud 52 which also carries the loosely mounted link 56. An arm 53 faston stud 52 carries one end of a link 54 connected to a bell crank lever55 pivoted on a shaft 56 supported by the side frames of the machine.Lever 55 is equipped with a cam roller 51 engaging in a track (notshown) of cam 45.

An adjustable trip stud 58, commonly used in conjunction with lever 44,is provided for the purpose of tripping or operating a lever 59 of thefeed control mechanism, this feature being essential for governing theoperation of the magazine gate 46 which consequently controls the numberof charges transferred from the scale pan. The control mechanism isactuated by a cam 60 on shaft 32, which engages a cam roller 6! providedon a lever 62 pivoted on a shaft 63 journaled in bearings of the sideframes of the machine. Since the remainder of the mechanism is of thesame construction and operates in the same manner as disclosed in theabove mentioned application, a more detailed description of the same isnot thought necessary.

The forward stroke of plunger 42 advances the column of tobacco storedin magazine 58 and pushes its forward end into a transfer pocket which,after the charge is severed from the remaining column of tobacco in themagazine by a knife (not shown), transfers the charge into a loop of therolling apron 64. The above mentioned knife and its coacting parts,which are of the same construction as disclosed in the previouslymentioned application, derive motion from a cam 65, on shaft 32, whichengages a cam roller 66 carried by a bell crank lever 61 loosely mountedon shaft 63.

When the tobacco charge has been deposited in the loop of the rollingapron 64, a horizontally mounted rolling pin rolls its charge into abinder C (Fig. 2), thus forming a cigar bunch. The apron 64 overlies aconventional rolling table H and the rolling pin 16 is supported andoperated in the usual manner well known in the art, its to and fromotion being derived from a cam 12, on shaft 32, engaging a cam roller13 of a bell crank lever 14 which connects by means of a link to anactuating lever 16 loosely mounted on a shaft 11 supported in bearingsof the side frames of the machine.

The operator places a leaf over the die block construction well known inthe as shown in Patent No. 1,543,874 granted June 30, 1925 to R. E.Rundell, and, therefore, a brief description of the same is deemedsulficient. When a binder leaf has been located on the die, the block 86is lowered slightly below the knives so that a sharp and clean cut willresult when cam actuated cutting rollers BI act upon the leaf. Therollers 8|, having fulfilled their work of cutting a binder section fromthe leaf, return to their starting position, and block 26 rises,bringing the cut binder section to a position ready to be engaged by abinder carrier 82 of well known construction. In this latter position,the suction which is supplied to the die block, by well known means, iscut off so that the suction applied to the binder carrier can lift thebinder section from the die. The carrier 82, by means of a cam operatedarm 83, is swung from the binder receiving station to a positiondirectly above the rolling apron 64, and upon reaching this latterposition the suction in carrier 82 is cut off, thereby permitting thesuction of the rolling tabe 1| and apron 64 to remove the binder fromthe carrier, which returns to binder receiving position while the chargeis rolled about the binder and produces a cigar bunch of desired shape.

The rolled bunch upon reaching the end of the apron 64 is transferred toa carriage or gripper unit designated generally 0 which is provided withtwo pairs of grippers, comprising jaws 85, 66. The carriage isconstrained to move in a substantially horizontal plane from bunchreceiving position adjacent the end of the rolling apron, where a rolledbunch is first gripped by the jaws 65, 66, to a discharge position wherethe bunch is removed from the jaws 85, 86 by a transfer HI and conveyedto a crimping and trimming device designated generally I32. Transfer I5I(see Figures 6, '1 and 8), may be of the same general type as that shownin Clausen reissue patent, No. 20,441, in which a transfer arm I60 isprovided with a shaft I6I mounting a sprocket I62 driven by a chain I63.Gripper finger I66 is loosely mounted on shaft I6I and cooperatingtherewith is a second gripper finger I pivotally mounted on gripperfinger I66. A block I64 is fastened to shaft I6I. A spring I61 bearsagainst block I64 and an upper portion of finger I65, for yieldablemovement of the gripper jaws when delivering a bunch into the crimpers.When the transfer fingers I65, I66 move toward conveyor C to grip andtransfer a cigar from the conveyor to the crimper I32, fingers I65, I66are held apart as shown in Figure 6 ready to be closed upon a cigarbunch in the conveyor C. The fingers are maintained in open position bymeans of a ed on a pin I69 and engaging a lock piece I16 fixed to fingerI65. At the fixed end of latch I68 is a post I'll to which is connectedone end of tension spring I12, the other end of which is fixed to a postI13 carried by finger I65. The gripper opening pin I14 is carried byfinger I65 and cooperates with a cam I15 mounted on crimper arm I16which supports crimping jaw I11. A second crimping jaw I18 fixed to headI19 supported by sliding post I56 coacts with jaw I11 to shape and crimpthe bunch transferred thereinto by means of transfer I3 I.

It will be seen, therefore, that transfer I3I travels between thedelivery position of conveyor C and crimper I52. When transfer I3I ismoved to pick up newly rolled bunches from conveyor 89 (Fig. 1) of aart, such for instance latch I63 pivotally mount-.

C, fingers I65 and Figure 6. After the I66 are open, as shown in bunchhas been laterally displaced and located because of the movement ofgripper fingers 85, 86 with the rod '81, rod I33 moves in, engages latchI68, displaces lock piece I10, and spring I12 closes the fingers uponthe cigar bunch.

In order to release the cigar bunch from the fingers I65, I66, cam I15engages pin I-1-4 upon the upward movement of crimper jaw I18 which alsoengages depending pin I82 carried by arm I63 fixed to the transfer armI60, whereupon the transfer is lifted simultaneously with the crimperjaws I18, and at the proper time cam I 15 forces pin I14 away from it,in a manner similar to that shown in the Clausen patent referred tohereinabove. Latch I68 urged by spring I1 2 moves into locking positionwith lock piece I10 and the transfer fingers are then positioned forreceiving another cigar bunch.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, it will be seen that the grippers eachconsist of a stationary jaw 85, and a movable jaw 86 mounted on a rod 81slidable in bearings 88 formed in arm 89. A- coiled spring 90 which isfurnished for each set of grippers, has one end arrested in jaw 86 whileits other end is arrested in a collar 9| fixed to the rod 81. Thisarrangement is provided in order to maintain a light gripping actionagainst a bunch located in the jaws. When the carriage is positioned toreceive a bunch from the rolling apron 64, the jaw 86 rests againstadjustable screw 92 mounted in jaw 85 (Fig. 5). In this manner the screw92 provides means for holding the jaw 86 to best suit the v uponentering the grippers must depress the jaw 86 to become seated and heldtherein.

A stud 93 mounted in arm 89 is loosely supported by one end of an arm 94projecting from a hub 95 pivoted on a vertical shaft'96 supported bypedestal 91 which is adjustably mounted on ed IS. A stud 98 also fixedin arm 89 loosely supports one end of an arm 99 connected to a stud Icarried by a lever I M which is clamped to the upper end of shaft '96.The base of member 95 is provided with a bolt I02 passing through a slotI03 and is threaded into an actuating arm I04 loose on shaft 96. I'hisfeature permits adjustment to be made to members 95 and I04 and therebyprovides means for changing the position of the gripper unit C whichtravels from its dotted line or receiving position to the full line ordischarge position shown in Fig. 3. The swinging motion imparted to thegripper unit C is derived from a cam I 65, mounted on a driven shaftI06, which engages a cam roller I01 of a lever I80 pivoted on a shaftI09. The lower end of the lever is equipped with a ball-pin and socket II0 supporting one end of a rod I I I connecting to a ball-pin and socketII2 engaging a slot I I3 of arm I04.

When the bunch is placed in jaws 85,86, block H5 secured to the end ofrod '81 is held'against the face of bearing 88 .by a spring II6, asshown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. This position is retained while thegripper unit is swung to its discharge position, and until an adjustablescrew II1, at the end of a cam actuated rod II8 engages and displacesrod 81 laterally to correctly position the bunch for its subsequentoperations. The rod I I8 is provided with a yoke II9 adapted to receivea roller I attached at the upper end of a cam lever I2I, loose on a studI22 carried by a bracket I23. A guide block 9 provided with an elongatedslot I-I9b is fixed to bracket bunch, as each bunch I23. A cam followerII-9a mounted on yoke II9c travels in slot II 9b. This mechanism insuresthe proper positioning of gripper operating rod I33. Lever I2I isprovided with a cam follower I24 engaging in a track of cam I25 fixed ona shaft I26 which is driven from shaft I06 by means of bevel ge'ars I21and I28.

The base of pedestal 91 is provided with an elongated slot I30 whichfurnishes means for shifting the pedestal and also the gripper unit C tosuit different types of rolling tables. In this manner the movements ofthe gripper unit C by the bunch receiving and bunch dischargingpositions can be controlled and the desired position of the pedestalinsured through lock screw 230. In order to further insure the correctpositioning of each bunch at the end of the transfer from the rollingapron 64 to the point of discharge to the bunch transfer I 3|, theadjusting screw I I1 has been provided, which makes it possible to moreeasily control the lateral movement of rod 81 upon which the gripperjaws 85, 86 are mounted and thereby properly locate each bunch to suitsubsequent operations. It will be observed, therefore, that when thecarriage C has moved a bunch into the range of operation of the transferI 3|, the latter descends, grips a bunch which is held between thegripper jaws 85, 86 and holds it firmly, whereupon screw II 1 mounted onrod H8 is withdrawn under the action of cam I25 coacting with lever I2Iand rod 81, due to the tension applied thereto by spring II6, moveslaterally, until block II5 again engages bearing 88. Rod 81 is heldagainst rotary movement by means of pin I45 mounted on block I I5 andslidable in a bore I46 in arm 89. Gripper jaws 85, 86 slide relativelyto the bunch which is held in the jaws of the transfer I3I and return tothe position they initially occupied when the carriage C first receivedthe bunch from the rolling apron 64. In this manner successivebunchesare correctly positioned for transfer to the crimping and trimmingdevice without the application of any external force to the ends of thebunch during its entire transfer from the rolling and gripping deviceand hence the tobacco in each bunch is undisturbed, thereby contributingmuch to the uniformity of cigars produced on the machine.

The located bunch is then taken from the gripper jaws and 86, by aconventional transfer unit I-3I (Fig. 1) which transfers the bunch to acrimper I32, of a construction well known in the art, in which it ispressed into the desired shape and has its ends trimmed. The crimper I32may be constructed along the lines of that shown in Clausen reissuepatent referred to above, although but a single set of crimping jaws isused. The gripping members of transfer I3I are closed by means of a rodI33 (Fig. 4) suspended from a holder I34 secured to rod II 8. At thecompletion of the crimping operation, a transfer unit I 35 (Fig. 1) ofthe same general type as that shown in Clausen et al., patent, No.1,740,575, engages the shaped bunch and delivers it to a wrapping deviceI 36 of conventional type such, for instance, as shown in Halsteadreissue Patent No. 20,355, in which a wrapper cut on a die block I31 isapplied to it and rolled into a cigar.

When a wrapper leaf has been served to the die block I31, it thendescends slightly below the knives so that a sharp and clean out willresult when cam actuated cutting rollers I38 act upon the leaf. Therollers I38, having fulfilled their work of cutting a wrapper sectionfrom the leaf, then retreat to their former position and block I31rises, bringing the cut wrapper section to a position ready to be pickedup by a wrapper carrier I39 of well known construction which transportsthe same to the wrapping device I36. Since the up and down movement ofthe die block I31 and suction control means of the same are well knownin the art, a further description of the same is deemed unnecessary.

It often happens that at the end of a days run there are several cigarswhich must be re-rolled in order to pass inspection. For handling thesebunches in my machine, I have provided a rerolling gauge I40 mounted onrod I4I, adjustably carried by bracket I34 which supports trip rod I33.Rod MI is furnished with two collars I42 and I43 which limits itsmovement in the bracket I34. In use, the wing nut I44 is loosened, rodMI is advanced to the left in Fig. 4, until it abuts against the headend of a bunch correctly positioned in the transfer I3I, whichtransports the bunches from the conveyor 89 to the crimping jaws. CollarI43 is then adjusted to correct position on rod MI, and set by a setscrew, and wing nut I44 is tightened to hold rod MI and gauge I40 inthat position for the remainder of the rerolling operations, whereuponthe fingers I65, I66 can close upon the located bunch which has one ofits ends in engagement with gauge I40 (Figure 4). In this manner thebunch can be lifted and correctly positioned in crimper I32 for transferto the wrapping mechanism.

The invention above described may be varied in construction within thescope of the claims, for the particular device, selected to illustratethe invention, is but one of many embodiments of the same. The inventionis not, therefore, to be restricted to the precise details of thestructure shown and described.

What is claimed is:

1. In a cigar machine provided with a rolling table for rolling bunchcharges of tobacco in binders to form bunches, a bunch receiving stationfor said bunches, and a discharge station, a transfer conveyor,including grippers, positioned for movement from said receiving stationadjacent said table to said discharge station, a bunch transfer locatedat said discharge station, and means for moving said conveyor with abunch held in said grippers in a substantially horizontal plane only fortransporting bunches from said receiving to said discharge station fordelivery to said transfer.

2. In a cigar machine having a rolling table for rolling bunch chargesof tobacco in binders to form bunches, a bunch receiving stationpositioned to receive bunches, and a discharge station, a transferconveyor provided with grippers positioned for movement from saidreceiving station adjacent said table to said discharge station, a bunchtransfer located at said discharge station, means for moving saidconveyor with a bunch held in said grippers in a substantiallyhorizontal plane only for transporting bunches from said receiving tosaid discharge station, and means operative after said conveyor hasmoved to said discharge station for effecting relative lateral movementbetween said conveyor and said transfer for positioning bunches in saidtransfer.

3. In a cigar machine having a rolling table for rolling bunch chargesof tobacco in binders to form bunches, a transfer conveyor positioned ata receiving station adjacent said table and arranged to convey bunchesto a discharge station, said conveyor comprising, an arm, a rod slidablypossible concrete and gripper jaws carried by said rod, a bunch transferlocated at said discharge station for gripping a bunch held in saidjaws, means for moving said conveyor to convey bunches from said tableto said transfer, and means operative after said jaws have beenpositioned at said discharge station for displacing said rod and gripperjaws laterally to locate a bunch held therein axially for delivery tosaid transfer.

4. In a cigar machine having a curved rolling table for rolling bunchcharges of tobacco in binders to form bunches, a transfer conveyorpositioned for movement from a receiving station located at an anglewith respect to the axis of said machine to a discharge station locatedat substantial right angles with said axis of said machine, a bunchtransfer located at said discharge station, means for movingsaid-conveyor in a substantially horizontal plane only to convey bunchesfrom said table to said transfer, and means for shifting said conveyorduring its movement from said receiving station to said dischargestation to locate the bunch carried therein at right angles to the axisof said machine and thereby rectify the angular displacement of saidbunch in said conveyor due to the curvature of said table.

5. In a cigar machine having means for forming binders and means fordelivering said binders to said table, a rolling table for rolling bunchcharges of tobacco in binders to form bunches, a conveyor fortransporting said bunches from said table to a point of discharge, atransfer for removing bunches from said conveyor, means for locatingbunches in said transfer while maintaining the ends of said bun-ch freefrom contact with said means, said means comprising a carriage, a rodslidably mounted in said carriage, gripper jaws mounted on said rod andconstructed and arranged to hold said bunch against axial displacementtherein, and means engaging said rod after said bunch has been moved tosaid point of discharge to displace said gripper jaws and cigar bunchheld therein laterally prior to the operation of said bunch transfer.

6. In a cigar machine provided with a rolling table for rolling bunchcharges of tobacco in binders to form bunches, a conveyor fortransporting said bunches from said table to a point of discharge, atransfer for removing bunches from said conveyor, means for locatingbunches in said transfer, said means comprising, a carriage, a rodslidably mounted in said carriage, bunch gripping jaws mounted on saidrod and constructed and arranged to hold said bunch against axialdisplacement therein, means engaging said rod to displace said jaws anda cigar bunch held therein laterally after said bunch has been moved tosaid point of discharge and prior to the operation of said bunchtransfer, and an adjustable member mounted on said rod enga ing meansfor varying the limits of lateral movement of said rod.

'7. In a short filler cigar machine having a bunch rolling table, atransfer conveyor positioned adjacent the discharge end of said tableand arranged to receive bunches discharged from said table, bunchcrimping and trimming mechanism operating on the ends only of eachbunch, a bunch transfer for moving a bunch from said conveyor into saidcrimping mechanism wherein the bunch ends are shaped and trimmed duringa single cycle of the machine operation and the bunch completed forrolling, bunch rolling mechanism, and means for transferring acompletely mounted in said arm,

crimped and shaped bunch from said crimping mechanism into said rollingmechanism for application of a wrapper thereto.

8. In a cigar machine, the combination with a hopper containing a supplyof short filler tobacco, means for vibrating said hopper to feed astream of tobacco from said supply, charge forming means, a bunchrolling table, a bunch rolling apron, a transfer device positionedadjacent the discharge end of said table and arranged to receive bunchesrolled on said apron, bunch crimping and trimming mechanism operating tocomplete the formation of a bunch in a single cycle of said machine, abunch transfer operative to move a bunch from said device into saidbunch crimping and trimming mechanism, and means for effecting relativedisplacement between said device and transfer while holding a bunchfirmly against axial movement therein to locate a bunch in said transferand properly position it in said crimping and trimming mechanism.

9. In a cigar machine, the combination with a vibratory hopper forholding a supply of short filler tobacco, of means for vibrating saidhopper to feed tobacco therefrom, means for forming bunch charges fromsaid tobacco, a bunch rolling table, a bunch rolling apron, a transferdevice positioned adjacent the discharge end of said table and arrangedto receive bunches rolled on said apron, bunch crimping and trimmingmechanism operating to complete the formation of a bunch in a singlecycle of said machine, a bunch transfer operative to move a bunch fromsaid device into said bunch crimping and trimming mechanism, and meansfor locating a bunch in said transfer in order to properly position abunch in said crimping and trimming mechanism.

10. In a cigar machine having a bunch forming device, and a bunchrolling mechanism for rolling bunches in wrappers to form cigars, aconveyor for transferring bunches from said device to said mechanism,said conveyor comprising a support movable in a horizontal plane betweensaid device and mechanism, a slidable carriage mounted in said support,gripper jaws mounted on said carriage for gripping bunches placedtherein and holding said bunches gripped against axial movement therein,and means for displacing said carriage laterally to pre-locate a bunchto be manipulated in said mechanism.

11. In a cigar machine having a bunch rolling apron and bunch crimpingand trimming means, a transfer mechanism for moving bunches from saidapron to said means, including a support, a carriage mounted on saidsupport, a member slidably carried by said support, gripper jaws fixedto said member and arranged to receive a bunch when said carriage ispositioned adjacent said apron, means for moving said carriage to abunch discharging position, a device engaging said member to shift itand thereby displace a bunch held in said gripper jaws axially, atransfer arranged to remove a bunch from said jaws, and means forreturning said jaws to bunch receiving position.

12. In a cigar machine having a rolling table for rolling bunch chargesof tobacco in binders to form bunches, a conveyor for transporting saidbunches from said table to a point of discharge, a transfer for removingbunches from said conveyor, means for locating bunches in said. transferwhile maintaining the ends of said bunch free of engagement with saidmeans, said means comprising, a carriage, a rod slidably mounted in saidcarriage, gripper jaws mounted on said rod, means engaging said rod todisplace said gripper jaws and a cigar bunch held therein laterallyprior to the operation of said bunch transfer, and an element foroperating said bunch transfer to grasp a bunch located in said jaws.

13. In a cigar machine having a bunch rolling device and a bunchwrapping mechanism, a transfer conveyor for moving bunches from saiddevice for delivery tosaid mechanism, said conveyor comprising, acarriage, a support movably mounted in said carriage, bunch holding jawsfixed to said support, means for moving said carriage to and from saidrolling device, a member arranged to engage said support and displace itlaterally at the discharge position of said carriage, a bracket mountedon said member, and a locating element adjustably mounted in saidbracket for positioning bunches in said jaws.

14. In a cigar machine having a bunch rolling mechanism, a single devicefor shaping and cutting said bunches to size once each cycle of saidmachine, means for transferring a bunch from said mechanism to saiddevice, said means comprising, a carriage, spaced gripper jaws slidablymounted in said carriage, and means coacting with said jaws to axiallydisplace them, and a bunch gripped therein against relative axialdisplacement in order to deliver a bunch in proper position to saiddevice.

15. In a cigar machine having a rolling table for rolling bunch chargesof tobacco in binders to form bunches, a conveyer for transporting saidbunches from said table to a point of discharge, including grippers forholding each bunch carried by said conveyor firmly in said grippersagainst bodily axial movement relative to said grippers, a transfer forremoving bunches from said conveyor, and means for repositioning saidconveyor at said discharge position to locate each gripper held bunchtransferred by said conveyer for proper removal therefrom.

16. In a cigar machine having a bunch rolling device and a bunchWrapping mechanism, a transfer conveyor for moving bunches from saiddevice for delivery to said mechanism, said conveyor comprising, acarriage, a support movably mounted in said carriage, bunch holdingjaws. fixed to said support, means for moving said carriage to and fromsaid rolling device, a laterally movable member, a bracket mounted onsaid member, and a locating element adjustably mounted insaid bracketfor positioning bunches in said jaws.

17. In a cigar machine having a bunch rolling apron and bunch crimpingand trimming means, a transfer mechanism for moving bunches from saidapron to said means, including a support, a carriage mounted on saidsupport, a member slidably carried by said support, gripper jaws fixedto said member and arranged to receive a, bunch when said carriage ispositioned adjacent said apron, means for moving said carriage to abunch discharging position, a device engaging said member to shift itand thereby displace a, bunch held in said gripper jaws axially, atransfer arranged to remove a bunch from said jaws, means for returningsaid jaws to bunch receiving position, and a transfer operating rodmounted on said device.

SIGURD CLAUSEN.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,298,27 9. October 15 19L 2;

' SIGURD CLAUSEN.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specificationof the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 5,sec- 0nd column, lines 28, 29 and 50, claim 5, strike out "means forforming binders and means for delivering said bindersto said table," andinsert the same after the word and comma "bunches," in line 51, sameclaim; and

that the said Letters P t t shouldberead with this Correction thereinthat the same may conform to the record of thecase in the Patent-Office;

H Signed and sealed this 5th day of January, A. D. 1945.

. Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents.

